Toy gun employing elongated strips of brittle material as ammunition



June 21, 1955 D. T. MCGRATH TOY GUN EMPLOYING ELONGATED STRIPS OF-BRITTLE MATERIAL AS AMMUNITION Filed Aug. 5. 1951 IN V EN TOR. Donald TMcrah United States Patent TOY GUN EMPLOYING ELONGATED STRIPS OF BRITTLE MATERIAL AS AMIVIUNITION Donald T. McGrath, Coronado, Calif.

Application August 3, 1951, Serial No. 240,102

9 Claims. (Cl. 124-10) My invention relates to a toy gun and more particularly to a toy gun which propels short lengths of cardboard by clipping the same from the end of a cardboard strip. The objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a toy gun of this class which uses stiit cardboard strips for ammunition and which automatically propels a short length of cardboard each time the trigger is pulled.

Second, to provide a toy gun of this class which is very simple to reload.

Third, to provide a toy gun of this class which is very reliable and trouble free.

Fourth, to provide a toy gun of this class having a very novel and harmless projectile which is very economical and which may be produced by shearing short lengths from narrow strips of any suitable material.

Fifth, to provide a toy gun of this class in which the A remainder of a strip of cardboard ammunition is automatically ejected or may be readily forced from the gun by the insertion of a new strip of cardboard ammunition whereby jamming of the gun is eliminated.

Sixth, to provide a toy gun of this class wherein a chisel shaped cutter compressively engages a strip of relatively brittle cardboard or other material transversely of thestrip whereupon ultimate failure of the material structure of the strip causes the free end of the strip projecting from the gunto be very forcefully propelled out of the gun.

Seventh, to provide a toy gun of this class wherein the clipping action of small pieces at the end of a strip of brittle cardboard causes quite a loud noise which simulates the report of a gun when fired.

Eighth, to provide a toy gun of this class which is very it safe for children due to the light weight of the projectile which is incapable of doing any serious damage.

Ninth, to provide a toy gun of this class which does not require the employment of critical alloys for the produc- 0 tion thereof and Tenth, to provide a toy gun of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efiicient in operation and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in de' tail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my toy gun showing parts thereof in elevation to facilitate the illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary muzzle end view thereof and,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ammunition strip feeding mechanism of my toy gun.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawing.

The frame 1, trigger 2, plate 3, bracket 4, magazine When so pivotedthe chisel portion 7a engages theam-' members 5 and 6, cutter bar 7, anvil 8, fulcrum pins 9 and 10, guide pins 11, 12 and 13, actuator pins 14 and 15, catch pin 16, spring mount 17, and the spring 18 constittute the principal parts and portions of my toy gun.

The frame 1 is a hollow frame having a general outline of. a pistol including a grip portion 1a, a trigger' guard 1b and a barrel simulating portion 1c. Pivotally mounted internally of the frame 1 on the fulcrum pin 10 is the trigger 2. Fixed to the trigger 2 and extending transversely from the side thereof as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing is the pin 14 which is engageable with the cutter bar 7. The plate 3 is a flat member as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and secured to the upper edge thereof is the resilient flat magazine member 6. Fixed to the magazine member 6 is the bracket 4 which is U-shaped member having a flange portion 4a. The bracket 4 is also fixed to the magazine member 5 for maintaining the rear end of the magazine members 5 and 6 in certain fixed spaced relationship to each other. The forward ends of the magazine members 5 and 6 are provided with end portions 5a and 6a which are in obtuse diverging relationship to each other all as will be fully described hereinafter. The rear ends of the magazine members 5 and 6 are provided with portions 515 and 6b which are arranged in diverging relationship with each other and communicate with the opening id in the rear end of the frame 1 which is provided for the feeding of ammunition strips into position intermediate the magazine members 5 and 6. It will be noted that these magazine members 5 and 6 are spaced a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a strip of cardboard A which is placed therebetween as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. This cardboard strip A is of relatively brittle material and provides the ammunition for my toy gun. The cutter bar 7 is pivoted on the fulcrum pin 9 internally of the frame 1 and is provided with a chisel cutting portion 7a directed toward the upper fiat surface 8a of the anvil 3 which is aligned with the upper, surface of the magazine member 6 as shown best in Fig. l of the drawing. The cutter bar 7 is provided with a buttress notch 7b rearwardly of the chisel portion 7a and the incline 7c of this buttress notch is engageable with the extending end of the angular portion 5a of the magazine member 5. The guide pin 13 is engaged by the lower surface of the magazine member 6 while the guide pins 11 and 12 are fixed internally of guidance thereof when reciprocated by engagement of the trigger 2 with the pin 15 which is fixed to the plate 3 and at the middle portion of the spring 18 which is -provided with diverging ends 18b and end of the cutter bar 7 and The catch pin 16 is engaged of the bracket 4 when the plate 3, together with the mag azine members 5 and 6, are moved rearwardly during the pulling of the trigger 2.

which engage the rear the bracket 4 respectively.

The operation of my toy gun is substantially as follows:

When the brittle cardboard ammunition strip A is positioned'between'the magazine members 5 and 6-and extending over the surface 8a of the anvil 8 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the trigger 2 may be pulled causing it to pivot about the axis of the pin 10 which concurrently causes the pin 14 to raise the rear end ofthegcutter bar 7 and pivot the same about the axis of the fulcrum pin 9.

munition strip A in opposed relationship to the surface the frame 1 and extend through slots 3a and 3b in the plate 3 for rectilinear by the U-shaped portion 4a 2,711,164 g p &

8d of the anvil 8. Continued rearward pressure of the trigger 2 causes the rear edge 2a of the trigger 2 to engage the pin 15 and to move the plate 3 backwardly as guided by the guide pins 11 and 12. The engagement of the chisel portion 7a of the cutter bar 7 with the ammunition strip A preliminarily fixes the same while themagazine members 5 and 6 are s'lidably moved rearwardly over the ammunition strip A, until the cutter bar 7 pivots sufficiently to cause the chisel portion 7a to exert considerable pressure on the strip A causing the front portion of said stripto be forcefully propelled forwardly by the clipping action of said chisel portion 7a. At this time the U=shaped portion 4a of the bracket 4 moves backwardly andlip'wardly into engagementwith the catch pin 16 due to slight upward pressure of the angular rear edge 2a of the trig er 2 on the in and in this position the lateral recess 3c in the slot 312 engages the pin 12'. It should be noted that the incline of the buttress notch 7b bears downwardl on the end portion 51: during the rearward movement of the magazine members 5 and 6. The magazine member 5 being of relatively thin resilient material, this pressure is not su'fiicient to pull the ammunition strip A from beneath the chisel portion 7a, but is su'ificient to prevent the ammunition strip from'being ejected rearwardly by the cutting action. The end portions 18b and 18a provide a dual function of the spring 18 by exerting pressure downwardly on the rear end of the cutter bar 7 and concurrently exerting forward pressure on the bracket 4. When the trigger 2 is released the end portion 18b forces the cutter bar '7 downwardly at the rear end so that the chisel 7a is raised from the anvil 8. As the trigger 2 continues forwardly the pin 14 engages the magazine member 5 which causes vertical displacement of the bracket 4 away from the catch pin 16, whereupon the spring 180 forces the bracket 4 forwardly. It will be noted that when the magazine members 5 and 6 are disposed rearwardly a suflicient distance for the flange 4:: of the bracket 4 to engage the catch pin 16, a portion approximately of an inch in length of the ammunition strip A will project between the ends 5a and 6a of the magazine members 5 and 6 which, due to their resilient character, tend to grip said strip so that forward movement' of the magazine members 5 and 6 will carry said portion of the ammunition strip A forwardly over the anvil '8 in po'siton for the succeeding shot.

In order to reload my toy gun a cardboard strip A may be inserted between the diverging ends 5b and 6b of the magazine members 5 and 6 through the opening l d in the frame 1, or said strip A may be inserted from the muzzle end In of the gun intermediate the diverging end portions 5a and 6a of the magazine members 5 and 6. It will be noted that the short remaining portion of the previous ammunition strip A is automatically ejected forwa'rdly of the angular end portion 661 of the magazine member 6 and outwardly through the opening 1e in the lower portion of the muzzle portion lc'of the frame 1. In the event the unused portion of the ammunition strip A is not ejected by the angular end portion 6a of the magazine member 6 the next succeeding ammunition strip A, inserted between the magazine members 5 and 6 forces the unused portion of the previous strip outwardly longitudinally of the magazine members 5 and 6, the direction of ejection depending upon the end from which the new strip is inserted.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l.' In a my gun, a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent operatively' connected with said cutter bar to pivot "said said muzzle, a cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, said cutter bar being pivoted on said 2. In a toy gun of the class described, a frame havinga projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge toward said anvil to clip off a portion ofa brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, spring means to shift said magazine forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto said anvil, and said magazine being engaged and retracted longitudinally by said trigger whilesaid cutter bar engages'the ammunition strip on said anvil.

3.- In a toy gun of the class described,a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent -said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge toward said anvil to clip off a portion of a brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, said magazine being shiftable forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto said anvil, said magazine being engaged and re- I tracted longitudinally by said trigger while said cutter bar engages the ammunition strip on said anvil, and resilient means operatively connected with said magazine forre-f turning said magazine forwardly toward said anvil for ejecting a short section of said ammunition strip beyond the cutting edge of said cutter bar.

4; In a toy gun of the class described, a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvilon said frame adjacent said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge-toward said anvil to clip off a portion of a brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, saidmagazine being shiftable forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto said anvil, said magazine being engaged and retracted longitudinally by said trigger while said cutter bar engages the ammunition strip on said anvil, resilient means operatively connected with said magazine for returning said magazine toward saidanvil for ejecting a.

short section of said ammunition strip beyond the cutting edge of said cutter bar, and said resilient means being cutter bar away from said anvil.

5. In a toy gun of the class described, a frame having I a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar hav ing a cuttingedge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge toward said anvil to clip off a portion of a brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, said magazine 7 being shiftable forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto "said anvil, said magazine being engaged and retracted longitudinally by said trigger while saidcutter bar engages the ammunition strip on said anvil, resilient means operatively connected with said magazine for returning said magazine toward said anvil for ejecting a short section of said ammunition strip beyond the cutting edge of said cutter bar, said resilient means being opera tively connected with said cutter bar to pivot said cutter bar away from said anvil, and said magazine member comprising a pair of opposed substantially parallel resilient members spaced slightly apart for frictionally engaging opposite sides of an ammunition strip.

6. In a toy gun of the class described, a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge toward said anvil to clip off a portion of a brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, said magazine being shiftable forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto said anvil, said magazine being engaged and retracted longitudinally by said trigger While said cutter bar engages the ammunition strip on said anvil, resilient means operatively connected with said magazine for returning said magazine toward said anvil for ejecting a short section of said ammunition strip beyond the cutting edge of said cutter bar, said resilient means being operatively connected with said cutter bar to pivot said cutter bar away from said anvil, said magazine member comprising a pair of opposed substantially parallel resilient members spaced slightly apart for frictionally engaging opposite sides of an ammunition strip, means operatively connected with said magazine to limit the magazine to rectilinear movement, and said trigger and said last mentioned means having cam and cam follower relation so that manual movement of the trigger in one direction retracts said magazine from said anvil.

7. In a toy gun of the class described, a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil on said frame adjacent said muzzle, a pivoted cutter bar having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, a trigger having means engaging said cutter bar and shiftable to pivot said cutter bar and to move said cutting edge toward said anvil to clip off a portion of a brittle ammunition strip, a magazine positioned rearwardly of said anvil and having ammunition strip engaging means, said magazine being shiftable forwardly for feeding the ammunition strip onto said anvil, said magazine being engaged and retracted longitudinally by said trigger while said cutter bar engages the ammunition strip on said anvil, resilient means operatively connected with said magazine for returning said magazine toward said anvil for ejecting a short section of said ammunition strip beyond the cutting edge of said cutter bar, said resilient means being operatively connected with said cutter bar to pivot saidcutter bar away from said anvil, said magazine member comprising a pair of opposed substantially parallel resilient members spaced slightly apart for frictionally engaging opposite sides of anammunition strip, means operatively connected with said magazine to limit the magazine to rectilinear movement, said trigger and said last mentioned means having cam and cam follower relation so that manual movement of the trigger in one direction retracts said magazine from said anvil, and said frame having an opening at theend of said magazine means opposite to said muzzle 'wherethrough an ammunition strip may be inserted into said magazine.

8. In a toy gun, a frame having a projection comprising a muzzle of the gun, an anvil fixed in said muzzle adjacent the front end thereof, a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame for rocking movement and having a cutting edge directed toward said anvil, said cutter bar extending longitudinally of said muzzle, and a trigger frictionally engaging the cutter bar to move said cutter bar in a direction causing said edge to move towards said anvil to clip oft portions of a brittle elongated ammunition strip, and means to bias the cutter bar to reverse the movement thereof and to retract said cutting edge from said anvil.

9. In a toy gun, a frame, a trigger on said frame, an anvil fixed on said frame, a chisel shaped cutter mounted on the frame for oscillatory motion only and operatively engaged by said trigger for shifting said cutter toward said anvil, whereby movement in one direction as part of the oscillatory motion of said trigger can cause said cutter to exert pressure on a strip of material placed between said cutter and said anvil for clipping a short portion therefrom, and means to reverse the movement of the cutter in the other part of the oscillatory motion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

